Hurricane Helene’s Effects on the Outdoor Community

Photo credit: Gene Gallin

Hurricane Helene last week has had devastating effects on western North Carolina and other parts of the east coast. Severe flooding, winds, downed trees, and rainfall have left many communities without power, fresh water, cell service, or supplies.

“Our first priority is the safety and well-being of Outdoor Alliance’s staff, partners, and their communities,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. “Members of our own staff, our friends, and partners, have been hit hard by Hurricane Helene. We are grateful for the efforts of first responders and search and rescue crews, as well as to those working to get supplies to western North Carolina and other communities affected by the storm.”

Many local recreation organizations are mobilizing to help, and American Whitewater reminds recreationists to stay off waterways and other recreation areas in the short term.

Hurricane Helene has also had profound effects on many beloved outdoor landscapes and gateway communities. The affected region includes some of the most visited national parks and national forests in the country, and while the true extent of Helene’s impacts on these public lands remains unknown, we expect the storm’s impacts to be far-reaching. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has estimated that up to 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail has been affected by the storm. Many treasured rivers, including the French Broad, the Green River Narrows, and the Nolichucky have been transformed by flooding.

In the months and years ahead, there will be work to rebuild communities as well as trails and other recreation resources which are central to life in the southern Appalachians. From an advocacy perspective, there is work for the larger community to ask Congress to provide needed emergency funding, resources to restore public lands and waters in the southeast, and to address the climate crisis, including through nature-based climate solutions that can help mitigate the effects of extreme weather events. 

American Whitewater, Carolina Climbers Coalition, and others have provided resources for relief and recovery efforts.